I cruised up to Meduno, then crossed the river below Navarons. I started the climb out from the river when 2 older fellows on mountain bikes zoomed by me. They both wore sneakers- the faster of the two was quite short and big, with tree-trunk legs, and rode with his knees splayed way out. Nevertheless, he was kicking my ass on this climb from the Meduna up to Poffabro. I was truly humbled- now I have no pretense of my current state of fitness- much hard work ahead!
At Poffabro they and I turned south down Val Colvera. The aero advantage of the road bike immediately left them behind and it was the last I saw of them. Soon I arrived at the left turn for Vals. After a few meters of light climbing it turns straight up. I was out of the saddle, pulling up on the bars to mash the pedals, and panting like a steam locomotive. This continues without a break for about a kilometer. Very pretty late-winter forest along the way, with many buca di neve and rose di natale.
At the top there's a tiny flat spot, then you're plummeting down the wide curves toward Fanna.
The 90mm stem flipped down feels great on the Merckx. I think it's all sorted now.
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| Upstream Torrente Meduna; note snowless Monte Valcalda and Monte Rest in background |
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| There were 4 herons here when I arrived but my clattering scared 3 of them away; lovely seeing those big wings flapping as they slowly sail away |
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| The climb; rode from top to bottom |
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| Steepness |
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